Joanne, thank you for joining me on my blog, and taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer my prying questions! I appreciate you! Joanne is debut author who just released her novel, Be Still My Soul--a fabulous study worthy must read! Click here to read the rave review!

Without further a due, welcome Mrs. Bischof!

1: When did you begin writing, and what do you love most
about being an Author?

I began writing when I was little. The first story I can
remember was one I wrote in third grade. I was in love with the written word.
The best part about it was that my parents really encouraged me in that area.
If it was my passion, they were just as excited about it. I love writing. I
love creating characters and getting to know them—their passions, fears and
their struggles and hopes. My favorite thing about being an author is
connecting with people. I love to talk books and characters and whenever I get
a note from a reader who was touched or blessed by one of my stories—it’s one
of the greatest moments. And it’s never about me…I’m so glad that I write
stories about God’s love. I think that
is something people can get excited about.

2: Can you give a little insight on your journey to
publication? How did it all start? What was the process?

It was when I had the
three books that make up the Cadence of Grace series finished that I first
began querying agents. I queried over a dozen, and while many passed, a few of
them hitched their door open, wanting to see more. One of those agents was
Sandra Bishop with MacGregor Literary. I sent her the manuscript. I heard back
that she liked what she had read and had an editor in mind. It was one of those
pinch me moments. We worked on my proposal, submitted it and then waited.

As the proposal went further down the line, passing through
the different levels of consideration, I got more and more nervous and more and
more excited! I spent a lot of time praying and talking with God—the waiting
wasn’t easy, a year to be exact, but He was with me the whole time, teaching me
lessons about patience and faith that I wouldn’t have learned any other way.
The manuscript headed to pub board which is where the BIG decision happens. The
editorial team gets together with sales, marketing, and top decision makers and
they basically negotiate over your proposal. I remember the day it went. I was
SO nervous the whole day. A while later, I got the call from my agent. That
year of waiting ended with a 3-book contract from WaterBrook Multnomah. It was
an incredible moment.

3: How has becoming an Author changed your life? Your faith?

Probably the biggest way it’s changed my life is that it’s
brought me out of my shell. I’m a super shy person and being an author has
changed that. And I’m so glad! I realize now how much of life could have passed
me by if I’d always been too shy to step out of my comfort zone. I love
interacting with readers, chatting books and characters and just getting to
know them as people. I think this has impacted my faith in the same way. It’s
made me little bit braver and a little bit bolder. All for the sake of
spreading the word about who God is and what He can do.

4: What inspired you to write Be Still My Soul?

As the idea for Be Still My Soul took seed, it unfolded to be a love
story between two mismatched people—a marriage between a shy, innocent girl
with a strong faith, and a cocky, confident bluegrass musician who hasn’t given
God much thought. By throwing them together in a shotgun wedding, I wondered
how their story would unfold. Could true love rise from the ashes of broken
hopes? This was the question I asked myself as Lonnie and Gideon’s journey
began. I love a good happy ending (and a good romance) so this couple provided
a few additional challenges for me!

5: Many Authors use personal experiences in their writing.
With that said, are there any instances in Be Still My Soul in which you can
relate to personally?

Most definitely. Like Lonnie, the biggest one is probably
being married to a man who had little regard for God. It was a difficult time
in my life but God was with us each step of the way and I am so INCREDIBLY
excited to say that just over a year ago, my husband accepted the Lord as his
Savior and has never looked back. It’s been an amazing time of growing closer
to the Lord together as a family and I know now that God uses the trials in our
lives to make us stronger and draw us closer to Him.

6: Readers will LOVE Be
Still My Soul—I know I can speak for them! When they read it, and love it, what message do you hope
they receive from this captivating novel?

When faced with a difficult situation God is always ready
and waiting to be our strength. I hope that readers will take away a peace that
God works in all situations. The scripture I’ve based the series around is 1
Peter 5:10, and I chose it because it’s a great reminder that we are never
alone on this journey called life. Through the ups and downs, God is there and
His mighty plan is at hand.

But may the God of
all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have
suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)

7: Tell us a little about yourself!

·Favorite hobbies: Gardening, cooking and baking,
music and singing (but the last time I sang in the car, my kids started
howling. Maybe I’ll stick to my other hobbies) ;)

·Describe your “best day ever:” Probably one of
my best days was just recently. It was the day Be Still My Soul released, but it was ALSO our anniversary. My
husband and I had a plan to go to the bookstores and see the book on
shelves…but it wasn’t in stock yet. I was kind of sad and my hubby, being the
guy that he is, decided he would spend the rest of the day making me laugh. We
had so much fun!

·Dessert you find impossible to say no to: Chocolate.
Any kind of chocolate. Especially if it’s combined with cheesecake. I’m a
goner.

·Dream vacation: I would absolutely love to go to
Scotland. I’ve had the joy of touring England, Ireland and Wales on a 10 day
trip and absolutely love that part of the world. Scotland is on the top of my
bucket list and I would love to bring my husband.

·Three most important things in your life, in
order of top priority: God, my family and afternoons spent writing while
listening to good music and eating chocolate. (I just snuck in 5 didn’t I?) J

8: What advice would you give aspiring authors?

The good news is, you don’t have to have a degree in English
or Literature to become a writer. As a stay at home mommy who never went to
college, there are some things that have helped me on my journey: being part of
a critique group, going to conferences, and reading great fiction have helped
me in my writing.

Also, above all else, enjoy the journey. Often times, the
path to publication is not an easy one. I’ve been on this road for years and I
know many others have as well. I’ve learned more during this process than I
ever expected. At times, it was easy to get discouraged and just when I felt
maybe nothing was going to ever happen, God carried me through a valuable
lesson because His timing is perfect.

9: Can the world of novels expect to be hearing from you
again soon? Would you be so kind as give hints as to what we can expect?

There is more to come! Starting this spring with Though My Heart is Torn and then the
third book in the Cadence of Grace series will arrive next fall. All three
books follow Lonnie and Gideon and their love story. Let’s see….a hint ;) Here
is an excerpt from the upcoming book, Though
My Heart is Torn. It’s a scene between our hero and heroine:

Clearing his
throat, he voiced her name. It fell from his lips like sweet honey. Would he
ever have a reason to say her name again? Perhaps he would have to whisper it
in the silent places of his heart to keep himself from losing his mind. They
continued walking and Gideon waited until he had her attention. He longed for
her forgiveness, but that seemed selfish. He focused instead on bringing her
peace.

10: Any parting thoughts, comments, etc. you would like to
add for your viewers?

I just want to thank your readers for being here and for the
opportunity to get to meet them. Each new name and face is a blessing to me!
And I really want to add what a joy it has been to get to know you, Hannah.
Your fun review of Be Still My Soul
stole my attention that day and it’s been so fun to get to know you ever since.
Praying for your family and your precious soldier overseas!